Friendswood Rips Texas City 69-49

It appears that District 24-4A is going to be another race to the final game if Friendswood’s win over Texas City is any indication.

Texas City nipped defending district champion Dawson 83-82 just a few nights before the Stings traveled to face the Mustangs. But the outcome was quite different as Texas City proved to be colder inside the gym than outside in the weather.

The Stings hit only 3-of-21 from beyond the 3-point arc while the Mustangs had the hot hand from downtown hitting 7-of-11 including four by Chris Collins who led the way with 20 points. Collins got scoring help from senior power forward Adam Hinchcliffe who hit one bomb at the end of the third quarter to give the Mustangs a 45-40 lead after Texas City had pulled within two points.

Hinchcliffe added a little topping to the shot as he gave Texas City “the stare” following the clutch shot which ignited the crowd and team.

“I was just having a little fun,” Hinchcliffe said following the shot. Hinchcliffe hit 18 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked three shots.

Kelby Schimming was also instrumental in the big win as he finished with 14 points, 10 boards, and four blocked shots.

Friendswood led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter, but took advantage of the cold shooting by Texas City to outscore the visitors 17-9 in the second period for a comfortable 31-21 lead at intermission.

But Texas City found the range in the third quarter to outscore the ‘Stangs 20-14 to pull within two-points before Hinchcliffe hit his timely bomb at the buzzer for a five-point lead entering the final eight minutes of play.

That’s when Friendswood got really hot on offense to outscore the Stings 24-9 down the stretch to grab the lopsided 69-49 victory.

The Mustangs are now 14-4 overall and 2-0 in district. Texas City falls to 14-6 overall and 1-1 in league play.

“We shot really well,” Friendswood head coach Jeff Keener said. “And when we shoot well, we are kind of tough to beat if we don’t beat ourselves.”

It appears that Friendswood will be one of the teams to beat if someone wants the district title this season.